As a landlord considering renting to a person who is newly separated from his wife, do I need to be concerned about the wife's access to property rights under a lease signed by him? --70.94.xx.xxx

--65.127.xxx.xxx

Until the dust settles couples sometimes carry their squabbles to your property. Be sure you let this guy know you don't want to your property address on the police scanner. --69.155.xx.xx

Thanks for your responses. The couple is not legally separated with formal papers. They are meeting with their lawyers in a few days to start the divorce process. The applicant looks very good on paper and through two interviews. I was just wondering if there is any assurance I need to think about - in terms of what his wife might be able to get at through his lease with us - before finalizing his rental application. --70.94.xx.xxx

The wife has no rights or access to your property unless she is on the lease. --71.87.xxx.xx

--65.127.xxx.xxx

Again, thanks for your comments. MrRational, you give me some cause for trepidation. I have interviewed lots of applicants in my time and this one looks really good on paper, in person, and through references. He makes more than 7 time the rent. Yes, there are children involved. I suppose, ultimately, every applicant carries a risk and we are always just trying to assess how high the risk is. Not everyone that goes through a divorce is stripped of their wealth. As I weigh the risks of what you point out, I think of the integrity that this applicant has presented, the job responsibilities he holds, and the side business that he operates. He certainly is preferred over many of the other risks we come across in this business. But still, I hear you. Divorce is a failure and should be weighed in the scheme of things. --70.94.xx.xxx

--65.127.xxx.xxx

Thanks, MrRational. You live up to your name! I'm glad you took the time to write again. I'm not too concerned about the side business as his main employment comes to more than 5 X the rent. I will be verifying that income, however. --70.94.xx.xxx

And I would bet that he will soon either go back to his wife or move in with his girlfriend. Leaving you with a dirty unit to paint, clean, and re-rent. --76.188.xxx.xx

Oooh! Susan. Sounds like you have had some bad experiences. And in truth, I'd have to admit to a few of my own. . . Well, one never knows for sure until the renter moves in, but this one states he needs order and exceeds most people's expectations of that concept. He also stated he chose the place because of its cleanliness and good maintenance. His references describe him as a neat freak. His boss says he sought him out for the job because of his reputation for detail work and organization and ability to carry responsibility. This is all I have to go on, but it's more than I had before I investigated. I also asked him about the wife and girlfriends and got what I considered satisfactory answers. As I stated before, we landlords are always measuring risk, and all we can do is our due diligence to measure that risk. --70.94.xx.xxx

i would be worried he will have to pay most of his income for child support.does he have kids?if its not finalized by court they may get back together.worse things could happen.it might not be so bad.of course he may move back with her in her apt. --208.58.x.xx

Separation doesn't include property settlement. He has to be able to pay the bills for everything including your rent. If he looks that good on paper. I would take him on the condition that it's single occupancy only and he knows the rent will go up if he decides to add an additional person. I would take him with the details you've provided. --70.189.xx.xxx

I am very strict on who lives at the property and my lease covers it well. I was worried about how the law looks at married couples and their rights to property ownership. A lease is a kind of ownership with legal rights to access, and I just wondered if his wife could gain access to the unit through that route. I have made it clear to the applicant that if he wants to move a roommate in (whoever it is) that "the new person" would have to go through the same credit process that he went through and in the end, the person could be rejected. He asked several questions about why he couldn't just be the responsible party. I explained why, he acknowledged that he understood my reasons, and in the end has agreed to abide by it. --70.94.xx.xxx

Another applicant was not officially separated, and revealed that the estranged husband was abusive. She had a good, but brand-new job, and her credit was ho-hum. We passed, mostly because the husband was a big question mark, but officially because of inability to prove support income. A month later, the guy committed suicide in their for-sale home (wife and kids staying with friends). I felt for her, but can just imagine the lease-breaking in late fall consequences for us. Phew! --71.185.xxx.xxx

Thanks, Wilma. Always interesting to hear of others' experiences. I think I would have passed on the abusive husband, though saddened at the ending. --70.94.xx.xxx